This hat made of fine dark blue woolen broadcloth rises 4 1/2 inches in the rear and 2 1/4 inches in the front. The top inset disc has a diameter of 4 1/4 inches. The cap is decorated with black, turned green from age, wool tape or braid the stands of which are 1/8 inch wide. On the top they form in pairs a quatrefoil pattern. They are also in pairs on the sides and in threes around the circumference of the cap.  The internal head size is at least a 6 7/8ths. There is minor insect damage here and there. On the front is sewn a quality metallic embroidered badge set on black felt bearing a gold wreath within which is a silver metallic embroidered "M.S." (MEDICAL SERVICE). This badge is bound with gold wire on its circumference and measures 2 1/2 inches by 1 1/2 inches.

The non-functional bullion chin strap is held securely by 2 Union eagle officer buttons. The front bill is Patent leather and is not bound and is 1 1/2 inches deep. The interior has a tarred waterproofed internal disc; upon this it is marked "BENT & BUSH" over "BOSTON". (Bent and Bush started in business in Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1841 and moved to Boston by 1849. They are well known suppliers of military headgear and other military goods, even obtaining contracts from the Marine Corps). The original silk blend lining torn away from the top disc is never-the-less 85% present. The hand whipped stitched into place black Patent leather sweat band is 1 3/4 inches high and it is original to this cap and 100% intact. The cap has been in a collection for well over half a century and is verbally identified to Assistant Surgeon William O. Nichols who served with both the 2nd Massachusetts Infantry (1862-64) and later (December of 1864) with the 3rd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. Please view this link (The record of the Second Massachusetts Infantry, 1861-65 : Quint, Alonzo H. (Alonzo Hall), 1828-1896 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive)

Dr. Nichols was born in Boston in 1840 and graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1862. He died in Yonkers, NY in 1899 and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.

This is a great example of a Civil War surgeon's cap.  [pe][ph:L]

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